I’m continuing with my “series” on natural cleaning products, where I’m talking about using regular household items that do as good, and in some cases, a better job without the chemicals or cost.

Last issue, I concentrated on lemons and this month it’s vinegar.

Vinegar is a strong preservative because its acetic acid kills the microbes and bacteria that could cause food to spoil. It’s also a good deodorizer. Here are 10 uses for white vinegar:

1. Remove coffee or tea stains from the bottom of a cup. Swish two tablespoons of vinegar around in the cup, then wash as usual.

2. Wipe salt stains off boots. Dip cloth or an old T-shirt into vinegar, then wipe away the white residue. (It works like Lime Away).

3. Make wool sweaters fluffier. Drop in a couple of capfuls of vinegar during the rinse cycle for an extra-soft feel.

4. Deodorize garbage disposal. Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, run cold water through the drain.

5. Clean teakettle or a coffeemaker. Boil a mixture of water and vinegar in a teakettle, then wipe away the grime. Fill the reservoir of a coffeemaker with a mixture of vinegar and water and run it through a brewing cycle. Follow this with several cycles of water to rinse thoroughly.

6. Clean a dishwasher. Once a month, with the machine empty, run a cup of vinegar through an entire cycle to reduce soap buildup on the inner mechanisms and glassware.

7. Remove stubborn price tags or stickers. Paint them with several coats of vinegar, let the liquid soak in for five minutes, then wipe away the residue.

8. Kill weeds between cracks in paving stones and sidewalks. Fill a spray bottle with straight vinegar and spray multiple times. (Be careful not to get any on the surrounding grass or plants, as it will kill them also.)

9. Clean computers and other peripherals. Keeping your computer, printer, etc. clean and dust-free will keep them working better. Shut down all the equipment before you start. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a pail. Dampen a clean rag in the solution (do NOT use a spray bottle as you don’t want to get the circuits wet), then squeeze as much liquid out as you can, and start wiping. You can use cotton swabs to get around tight places.

10. Unclog and deodorize drains. Combining vinegar and baking soda is very effective and easier on your pipes (and your wallet) than chemical drain cleaners. Use a funnel to pour a half cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. After the foam subsides, flush with hot tap water. Wait five minutes, then flush again with cold water. This will also get rid of odor-causing bacteria. To unclog a slow drain, pour in a half cup of salt followed by two cups of boiling vinegar, then flush with hot and cold tap water.

There are many, many more uses for vinegar, so I’ll probably do my next column on this subject also.

Judi Lloyd lives in River Bend and can be contacted at judilloyd@yahoo.com.